The Council has been advised by the Secretary General in the Department of Transport and Maritime Affairs that, following the appointment of Mr. Noel Dempsey as Minister, the Department is required to prepare a new Statement of Strategy for the three year period from 2008 to 2010.

As part of the process the Department has invited a submission from Kerry County Council on our views regarding opportunities and challenges going forward, suggestions as to the shape and emphasis of the new Strategy, together with an outline of suggested priorities for the coming three years.

There have been some changes to the structure of the Department in recent years. The Maritime Safety Directorate, the Irish Coast Guard and Maritime Transport Division transferred from the Department of Communications Marine & Natural Resources to the Department of Transport in January 2006. An Taoiseach announced on the 14th June 2007 that responsibility for Non-national Roads would transfer from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and local Government.

A draft submission on behalf of Kerry County Council has been prepared for your consideration (attached) identifying high level goals and work programmes that are critical for the development of the county over the next three years.

Subject to consideration by Council, I recommend that this submission, with any amendments proposed by Council, be submitted to the Minister for Transport and Maritime Affairs.